Seminar 1 Introduction to Research Research Methodology Seminar 1 Introduction to Research by Assist Prof. Aslamzai aslamzai@ku.edu.af
Table of contents Introduction What can be a research What can not be a research Why Research is Important Research Characteristics Types of Research Summary
What is Research? ‘research is a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and creates new knowledge that is generally applicable.’ Grinnell further adds: (1993: 4)
What is Research? Burns (1997: 2) defines research as ‘a systematic investigation to find answers to a problem’. According to Kerlinger (1986: 10), ‘scientific research is a systematic, controlled empirical and critical investigation of propositions about the presumed relationships about various phenomena’.
What is Research? Research is an effort to obtain new knowledge in order to answer a question or to solve a problem. Research is a creative activity leading to the production of new knowledge In a university setting, research is defined as an original investigation undertaken in order to contribute to knowledge and understanding in a particular field.
What is Research? New knowledge can either be: A new idea or a new problem. A new technique to solve the current problem. To adjust a current technique to solve a current problem in a new environment. the sense that the facts, the interpretation of those facts, or the theories used to explain them might not have been used in a particular way before in that specific discipline
Not research? Preparation of teaching materials The provision of advice or opinion e.g consulting works Feasibilities studies (asked by clients) Routine data collection (no attempt for new knowledge) Routine information system development (not experimental design of new product/service) Any other routine professional practise.
Why Research is Important? New knowledge will enable a society, an organization or a company to expand.
Why Research is Important? Islamic scholars must do research in order to get fact for new problems such as: Forward trading Internet trading
Why Research is Important? Educationist and social workers must do research in order to find: Effective teaching approach. Solutions for drugs addiction problem
Why Research is Important? Political parties must do research: To determine the level of support within the society To find the best method for increase support – for example to determine what are the issues that will attract more support form the people.
Why Research is Important? Companies must do research: To develop a new product To find ways to market their products To find out whether their products are accepted by the customers
Research Characteristics Must be done: Within a certain philosophical framework By using procedure, method and techniques that are reliable Properly designed so that it is objective and not bias
Research Philosophy Knowledge can be obtained through discussion and justification Unclear source of knowledge such as dream, cannot be taken as a basis for knowledge development.
Research philosophy aka Research Paradigm The expectations that you made in doing research The assumptions provide guidance for conducting your research Have to comply with the research standards specific to the research paradigm you are using rather than those that guide alternative approaches
Research philosophy Understanding the theoretical assumptions helps you recognize what the techniques you are working with do well and what they do less well, and lets you design your research to take full advantage of their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses The examniners/ reviewers might follow different research philosophies from yours and may be unwilling to accept the legitimacy of your approach unless you can make its assumptions clear
Research philosophy Positivists naturalist who use quantitative tools, techniques that emphasize measuring and counting, naturalist who prefer the qualitative tools of observation, questioning, and description
Research Characteristics Controlled Rigorous (hard) Systematic Valid Empirical (experimental) Critical (serious)
Types of Research Application Mode of Inquiry Basic Applied Quantitative Qualitative
Summary